Buffalo residents convicted in SNAP fraud, ordered to repay over $86,000

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced significant outcomes in two welfare fraud cases, resulting in one Buffalo resident’s conviction and another’s guilty plea for defrauding New York State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The cases will yield over $86,000 in restitution to state and federal programs.

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced significant outcomes in two welfare fraud cases, resulting in one Buffalo residents conviction and another’s guilty plea for defrauding New York State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The cases will yield over $86,000 in restitution to state and federal programs.

Carmella Miller, 39, was convicted on charges of Grand Larceny and Welfare Fraud after concealing income from multiple sources, including her work with Edison Home Health Care, earnings as a Lyft driver, and her husband’s income. Miller fraudulently received over $6,000 in SNAP benefits and will be sentenced in January.

In a related case, Rodney Jones, 60, pleaded guilty to welfare fraud, admitting he concealed his wife’s income to collect more than $9,000 in SNAP benefits and $72,000 from Social Security. Jones has already paid full restitution, totaling over $82,000.

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“It is an affront to this great history of social welfare programs, and to those families who truly need and deserve them, that these two people put their greed above the integrity of the system and bilked taxpayers for money to which they were not entitled,” said Inspector General Lang. “We will continue to hold accountable people who undermine hungry New Yorkers and taxpayers alike.”

Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane reiterated the commitment to protecting vital assistance programs, saying, “Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable.”

Lang expressed gratitude to her investigative team, the Erie County Department of Social Services, the Social Security Administration, and the District Attorney’s Office for their roles in securing justice in these cases.